Oldham in CRISIS TALKS over signing footie rapist Ched Evans

FOOTIE team Oldham Athletic look likely to pull out of the deal to sign rapist Ched Evans.

On Sunday Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor said he would not appear at the planned news conference today to support the move.

Many took that as a signal that the club would not be signing the ex-convict.

Callum Jones from, who signed the petition, said: "I'm signing because as a life Oldham fan, I don't want a player with that reputation to be even associated with Oldham. He doesn't deserve to play football at all."

Sarah Faulkner, from York, said: "A convicted rapist should not be employed in a position where he is a role model, looked up to by thousands of young people.

"This is not about stopping him from working at all, but about the football world saying that rape is not acceptable and that convicted rapists should not be lauded as 'heroes'."

The 26-year-old was realised from prison in October after serving two-and-a-half years of a five-year sentence for raping a woman in a hotel room.

He has since been linked to a string of clubs, including old team Sheffield United.

Evans was initially invited back to use their training facilities but the offer was withdrawn after 160,000 people signed a petition protesting against his return.

Maltese club Hibernians offered him a deal but the Ministry of Justice stepped in at the weekend and said rules prevented the football player from working abroad.